UK Renovation Process and Fees
Taking on a renovation and home redesign is a big project with many parts and people involved. If this is your first time doing so in the UK, you may find the following estimations on process, people and fees useful.
1. Buying the Property
Parties involved
Solicitor / conveyancer
Surveyor
Typical costs
£2,000–£6,000 (legal fees + surveys)
Timeline
8–16 weeks
2. Initial Planning + Design Feasibility
Parties involved
Interior Designer
Architect
Structural Engineer
Typical costs
£3,000–£15,000
Timeline
2–6 weeks
3. Concept & Layout Design
Parties involved
Interior Designer
Architect
Typical costs
£5,000–£25,000
Timeline
4–8 weeks
4. Planning Permission + Regulatory Approvals
Parties involved
Architect
Planning Consultant (optional)
Party Wall Surveyor
Local Authority Planning Officers
Typical costs
Planning fees: £500–£2,000 (depending on size)
Party wall surveyor: £900–£2,500 per neighbour
Timeline
Planning approval: 8–10 weeks
Party wall notice periods + award: 1–3 months
5. Technical + Construction Drawings
Parties involved
Architect
Interior Designer
Structural Engineer
M&E Consultant (optional)
Typical costs
£5,000–£35,000
Timeline
8–16 weeks
6. Building Control Approval
Parties involved
Local Authority Building Control or Approved Inspector
Typical costs
£1,000–£3,000
Timeline
2–8 weeks for initial approval
inspections ongoing throughout project
7. Tender + Contractor Selection
Parties involved
Main Contractor
Quantity Surveyor
Architect/Interior Designer/Project Manager
Typical costs
QS tender support: £1,500–£6,000
No direct cost for contractor tendering
Timeline
3–6 weeks
8. Construction Phase
Parties involved
Main Contractor
Subcontractors
Building Control Inspector
Interior Designer / Project Manager
Typical costs (very dependent on scale + finish)
£1,500–£3,000 per m² for full refurbishment
Extensions and basements cost more
Typical timelines
Light renovation: 8–12 weeks
Medium renovation: 4–8 months
Full refurb + extension: 8–18 months
9. Completion + Handover
Parties involved
Main Contractor
Building Control Inspector
Typical costs
Snagging costs vary
Final inspections included in contractor pricing
Timeline
2–6 weeks